Suspect in killing of Louisiana police officer shoots self

(Reuters) - The man suspected of killing an off-duty Louisiana police officer was taken to a an area hospital after he shot himself on Friday evening, bringing to a close an hours-long standoff, authorities said.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Sylvester Holt, had been in a standoff with police and crisis negotiators for hours on New Orleans' Crescent City Connection bridge when he shot himself, Louisiana State Police Trooper Melissa Matey said.

Matey said Holt's condition was not known.

Westwego Police Officer Michael Louviere, 26, was heading home shortly after 6 a.m. local time on Friday when he stopped to respond to an apparent accident outside New Orleans. He exited his marked vehicle to offer aid, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Colonel John Fortunato said.